The 151st Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, marking a significant, temporary relocation for the “Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.” This year, the event will take place at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes a substantial $400 million redevelopment.
Festivities for horse racing enthusiasts will commence early, with NBC Sports offering comprehensive coverage. Live action begins at 1:00 PM ET on Peacock, leading into the main event broadcast on NBC at 4:00 PM ET. Post time for the race is anticipated around 6:50 PM ET.
The shift to Laurel Park introduces a new dynamic to the race, requiring careful consideration of how the three-year-olds will adapt to a different Maryland surface. Weather forecasts for May 16, 2026, in Laurel, Maryland, suggest ideal conditions for fast dirt racing: mostly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a comfortable 26°C (79°F). With only a 10% chance of precipitation, a “Fast” track rating is expected, favoring horses with high cruising speed. The weekend at Laurel Park will also feature an extensive racecard, including 15 stakes races across Friday and Saturday, highlighted by the prestigious Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 15. Laurel’s main track configuration differs slightly from Pimlico’s.
The 14-horse field comprises a mix of Kentucky Derby participants and fresh contenders, all set to tackle the 1 3/16-mile distance. Understanding each horse’s profile is crucial for assessing potential outcomes.
Iron Honor (Post 9, 9/2), trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, enters as the morning-line favorite. Brown, who has won the Preakness twice with horses that skipped the Derby (Early Voting and Cloud Computing), often brings fresh contenders to Baltimore. Iron Honor has reportedly been training exceptionally well and possesses a potent closing kick, expected to perform strongly on the Laurel Park dirt.
Taj Mahal (Post 1, 5/1), a local favorite trained by B. Russell and ridden by S. Russell, is undefeated in three starts at Laurel Park. Sired by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, this colt recently dominated the Federico Tesio Stakes by over eight lengths and possesses tactical speed. His familiarity with the Laurel surface could offer a distinct advantage.
Chip Honcho (Post 6, 5/1), from the stable of Steve Asmussen—a trainer with a strong record in Maryland—will be ridden by Jose Ortiz. This physically imposing colt has shown significant improvement throughout the spring and is expected to draw considerable attention.
Ocelli (Post 2, 6/1), trained by W. Beckman with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, remains a maiden but demonstrated his class with a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. His strong finish at Churchill Downs suggests the shorter Preakness distance might be ideal for him to secure his first win. Should he win, he would be the first horse since 1888 to break his maiden in the Preakness Stakes.
Napoleon Solo (Post 10, 8/1), trained by C. Summers and ridden by Paco López, is a versatile runner capable of adapting to various pace scenarios. Jockey López is known for his aggressive riding style, indicating this horse will likely be placed prominently early in the race and possesses sufficient stamina for the distance.
Incredibolt (Post 12, 5/1), under the tutelage of Bill Mott, who is adept at preparing horses for major races, comes off a sharp victory in his last outing. Jaime Torres, a rising star in the jockey ranks and winner of the 2024 Preakness with Seize the Grey, will ride, making this duo a potential factor.
The Hell We Did (Post 7, 15/1), a California contender trained by T. Fincher and ridden by Luis Sáez, has shown flashes of brilliance despite some inconsistency. Sáez, an aggressive rider, will likely send this horse forward early, potentially making him a dangerous gate-to-wire threat if he can relax on the lead.
Great White (Post 13, 15/1), trained by J. Ennis and ridden by Alex Achard, is a durable colt who consistently performs well, though he has yet to demonstrate the elite speed often required for a Triple Crown race.
Pretty Boy Miah (Post 14, 15/1), trained by J. C. Englehart and ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., faces the challenge of an outside post position. However, he possesses the speed to overcome it, requiring Santana Jr. to make a quick decision in the first turn to avoid being hung wide. If he can secure a good position, he has the talent to contend for a top-three finish, especially if the track is fast.
Among the longer shots, Talkin (Post 5, 20/1), ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer D. Gargan, exhibits a “grinder” profile, capable of sustaining a long run, and could benefit from a fast early pace. Crupper (Post 3, 30/1), trained by D. K. Von Hemel and ridden by Junior Alvarado, typically settles at the back of the pack. Robusta (Post 4, 30/1), from Doug O’Neill’s stable and ridden by Rafael Bejarano, has recently struggled in graded stakes but will likely use early speed. Bull By The Horns (Post 8, 30/1), trained by S. Joseph Jr. and ridden by Micah Husbands, comes off a disappointing prep race. Finally, Corona de Oro (Post 11, 30/1), with Hall of Famer John Velázquez aboard for trainer D. Stewart, has a pedigree suited for distance, but his recent speed figures are considerably lower than those of the favorites.
The Preakness Stakes boasts a rich tradition, with past winners including legendary horses like Secretariat, Affirmed, and American Pharoah. In 2025, Journalism won a thrilling finish. Recent winners from the last decade include Seize The Grey (2024), National Treasure (2023), and Early Voting (2022). Historically, the race has often been more predictable than the Kentucky Derby, tending to favor horses with tactical speed. However, the temporary move to Laurel Park for 2026 disrupts the customary “Old Hilltop” trends, suggesting that historical data from Pimlico may hold less weight this year. While Iron Honor is a strong favorite based on speed figures, the unique surface at Laurel Park and the significant local advantage of Taj Mahal are key considerations.
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